Environmental restoration and closure of contaminated sediment sites is a top priority for the Department of Defense (DoD). Over the next five to ten years, identifying methods to establish long-term remedy success, reducing long-term management costs, and achieving site closure will be of primary concern. In July 2012, SERDP and ESTCP convened a workshop on Research and Development Needs for Long-Term Management of Contaminated Sediments to address these site management priorities.

The workshop was attended by approximately 40 individuals, including DoD remedial program managers, federal and state regulators, University researchers, industry representatives, and consultants. The objectives of the workshop were to (1) examine the current state of the science and technology for the restoration of contaminated sediment sites, (2) review the current and projected future status of DoD restoration activities, (3) identify data gaps that, if addressed, could aid in the restoration of contaminated sediments, and (4) prioritize research and demonstration opportunities to help facilitate regulatory and public acceptance of restoration of contaminated sediment sites.

Based on the results of this workshop, SERDP is now soliciting proposals for research to improve our understanding of the impact of ongoing, low level contaminant influx to aquatic sediments at sites that are either undergoing restoration or are in the long-term monitoring phase, and to develop tools to assess and manage such impacts. For details on the solicitation and proposal submittal process, visit www.serdp-estcp.org/Funding-Opportunities/SERDP-Solicitations.

Other research and demonstration, and technology transfer needs identified at the workshop include:

• Improved understanding and use of passive sampling measures
• Improved understanding of off‐site source assessment and potential recontamination of sites
• Improved assessment of parameters that impact long‐term effectiveness of in situ amendments and amended caps
• Evaluation of confined aquatic disposal for dredged materials
• Evaluation of food web models in setting remedial goals and long term monitoring requirements
• Tools for measuring facilitated transport in sediment
• New approaches for implementing in situ amendments or amended caps
• Demonstration of enhanced monitored natural recovery design and operation
• Demonstration of long term efficacy of in situ amendments
• Demonstration of tools to evaluate amendment placement

For the full workshop report and to learn more about SERDP and ESTCP’s efforts to develop the science and tools needed to characterize, remediate, manage, and monitor contaminated sediment sites, visit www.serdp-estcp.org/Program-Areas/Environmental-Restoration/Contaminated-Sediments.